The door clicked shut behind us, sealing us in a room that, despite its high ceilings and spaciousness, suddenly felt unbearably small. Alone together, the air thickened with unspoken words and the weight of a new beginning. I stood there, heart pounding, unsure of how to bridge the distance between us.
Raziel broke the silence, his voice steady yet laced with something deeper. "What brought you to talk to me, Carmela?"
I swallowed hard, gathering my thoughts. "I have something to ask," I replied, my voice betraying my nerves.
His gaze softened, sensing my hesitation. "What is so important that you decided to finally speak to me just to ask a question?"
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. "Do you really like me? What do you even like about me? I'm just a simple girl. I'm sure you've met others more beautiful than me."
Raziel's expression didn't waver. "Liking you just came to me suddenly. I've met a lot of girls, they have different kinds of beauty, and sure, there are others who were prettier than you, I don't know, but I found myself drawn to you. I just like you with no particular reason. I liked you the very first moment I met you. I liked you more and more as I got to know you. So, Carmela, can you please give me the chance to prove myself to you? No matter how many years it takes for you to accept and love me, I'm willing to do that as long as I get to be with you, to know you more, and to be there when you need me."
His words hung in the air, sincere and unwavering. I felt the sincerity in his tone, the depth of his feelings. But my heart, still scarred from past wounds, hesitated.
"You know how I gave someone the same chance you're asking now, right?"
"Yes, I know," he said, his voice gentle. "But we are different, Carmela."
"I know. So hear me out first."
"Okay, I'll listen."
"I've been hurt once. I've been disappointed. It's hard for me to open up my heart again just to give others the opportunity to hurt me again. Waiting is hard, I know. I understand that it's difficult to wait for someone for years until graduation when there are so many others you can like out there. But that is something I decided, and I won't change my mind about that just to be clear to you."
"I respect that, Carmela," Raziel said, his voice filled with understanding. "I know that you will need some time to heal the wound that bastard caused. I know it would take some time or years before you open your heart again, but I'm willing to wait. I won't allow you to mend the wound without me, or give the chance for others to enter your life in the process. Just let me be with you, lean on me as you heal, and I'll be there to comfort you."
His words, so full of compassion and patience, touched something deep within me. I felt a flicker of hope, a possibility of healing.
"I thank you for that, Raziel. Thank you for understanding, and I'm grateful that you're willing to wait just to be with me. I don't know if you'll be there until the end or if you'll be able to wait until I'm ready. I don't even know if you and I will be together in the future, but I'm willing to take the chance and open the possibility of having a future with you. So, Raziel, please be patient with me and don't break my heart."
Before I could say more, he stepped forward and enveloped me in a hug. His warmth surrounded me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt safe.
"Thank you so much, Carmela, for giving me the chance to prove myself to you. You don't know how happy I am just to hear those words coming from your mouth."
I froze, my body stiffening in his embrace. His closeness, the feel of his arms around me, was overwhelming. I had never been this close to someone who wasn't family. It was new, unfamiliar, and a little scary.
"Uhmm, Raziel... you're too close."
He pulled back immediately, his face flushing with embarrassment. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just happy; I couldn't contain myself. Don't worry, I'll behave."
"Good. That's good. Uhmm, so what happens next? I'm completely new to this, so I don't know what happens next. But to be clear, okay, I'm just giving you a chance to court me. We are still not together."
"I know, Carmela. It's perfectly clear to me that I still have a long way to go. But the elation your words have brought to me cannot be compared to what I'm feeling right now. Don't worry, I'll patiently court you even if I have to come to your school or your home. I'm ready."
I quickly stopped him. "Wait, wait, wait. You don't have to go that far. We can just communicate through messages first, and can we keep it a secret that you are courting me?"
"Huh? Why? I'm serious about you."
"Well, it's not about that. The problem is, the school prohibits being in a relationship early, and my parents won't allow it."
"But we are doing nothing wrong, and we'll practically be far away."
"I also need to get used to it first, and I wanted to be low-key about it."
He sighed, a playful glint in his eyes. "Honestly, Carmela, you have a lot of 'what nots' and terms. But I will agree to it now, but I won't always be the one to adjust. You have to have your fair share of adjustments too."
"Don't worry, I will. I just have to get used to it and build you up in my life. Thank you, Raziel."
"No worries. All's good then?" he asked, his smile returning.
"Yes, no more additional terms." I smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through me.
We stood there, grinning at each other, the air between us lighter than before. But before we could say more, a knock at the door interrupted us.
"Are you done talking?" asked Sister Trisha.
"Yes, Sister, we are finished talking already."
The door opened, revealing the faces of our two groups. Their expressions were a mixture of happiness and curiosity.
"Were you eavesdropping?" Raziel asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We couldn't help it. It was interesting."
"Surprising."
"Entertaining."
"Curious."
"Amusing."
"Addictive."
"Intriguing."
The two groups exchanged words that were both annoying and amusing at the same time. But it also made me shy, knowing that they'd heard our conversations.
"Stop it now. Can't you see that Carmela is embarrassed?" Trisha chided.
"Aww, he's not yet the boyfriend, but he's already a worrywart."
"Yes, yes, look at him being so protective already. What more if they officially become together?"
They all said teasingly, their voices harmonious in their teasing. It was only when Trisha spoke again that they stopped.
"Well, it's good that you're both okay and everything is clear now. Don't worry, Carmela, I'll make sure that they won't speak a word